Varsity Girls Soccer Captures Fourth Consecutive SCISA 3A State Championship in Thrilling Overtime Victory

Despite dominating possession and tempo in the first half, Hilton Head Prep found itself trailing after
Greenwood Christian capitalized on a breakaway goal. Prep quickly responded when eighth grader and
leading scorer Alice Carmines intercepted a high ball and placed a precise shot into the corner of the net to
even the score. Carmines struck again before halftime, finishing a well-placed pass from Marisa Mora and
slipping past two defenders to give Prep a 2–1 lead heading into the break.

Greenwood Christian returned in the second half with renewed intensity, leveraging a deep bench to
maintain fresh legs and control possession. With limited substitutions, Prep began to feel the physical toll,
and Greenwood eventually equalized, sending the match into overtime.

Under SCISA championship rules, teams play two mandatory 10-minute overtime periods, followed—if
necessary—by two five-minute golden goal periods before penalty kicks. Demonstrating resilience and
determination, the Prep defense held strong through three overtime periods.

With just 90 seconds remaining before a potential shootout, Carmines delivered a critical play on a throw-
in—heading the ball into position for fellow eighth grader Adrianna Palazzo, who controlled it and blasted
the game-winning shot into the back of the net to secure the 3–2 victory and the state championship.

“These girls won today with their hearts because they certainly did not have any legs left with no subs all
game,” said Head Coach Risa McMillan. “That was almost 120 minutes of full-out soccer against an
undefeated team with fresh legs. The toughness it took truly defies the imagination. Brooke Heins, our
goalkeeper, delivered the performance of a lifetime with 22 athletic saves, throwing her body up, down,
and sideways.”

The victory marks the program’s fourth straight state title. Four seniors—Riley Wilbert, Sophia Schlieman,
Madeline Schlieman, and Samantha Rehling—finish their careers with four championship rings each.

“We knew we had to play for each other and leave every last effort out on the field,” said Wilbert. Sophia
Schlieman added, “We pushed through and gave everything we had. Even as tired as we were, we knew we
had to give it our all and put up a fight.” Goalkeeper Brooke Heins echoed the team’s unity: “We really
came together as a team to win it. I couldn’t have asked for a better team to play with today.”

This historic victory underscores Hilton Head Prep’s commitment to excellence in athletics and the strength
of its student-athletes both on and off the field.